AFTER DEADLINE
Many problems that Hawai'i face might be solved by sea
By John E. Simonds
Advertiser Reader Representative
Hawai'i is surrounded by a solution to many of its problems and should do more to make the Pacific work for the people who live here. So say community members of The Advertiser's editorial board.
Ocean sources of energy, transportation and economic growth remain a potential that has been disappointing, visiting members agreed in a recurring theme of their series of Wednesday meetings that began early in December and finished last week.
Scott Allen, retired associate director of the Law of the Sea Institute at the University of Hawai'i and former Navy officer; B.S. Chen, retired CEO of a medical instruments firm, formerly of China and Florida, with backgrounds in missile technology and telemetry; Toshinari Takata, legal services attorney with Na Keiki Law Center; and Pam Santos-Bermudes, assistant to The Advertiser's vice president for production, were members of the latest group.
Other topics, including public schools, political campaigns, Enron, U.S. foreign policy and traffic safety, surfaced in the discussions, but members showed a decided interest in maritime and scientific matters. Lack of recent political leadership was blamed in part for Hawai'i's failure to make greater use of water transportation and in harvesting alternate energy from the sea.
Ferries and other forms of ocean transit have yet to receive a fair test of public support here, some members of the group said, and the Jones and Passenger Services acts, federal laws which let only U.S.-built ships move directly between U.S. ports, should be amended to make exceptions for Hawai'i. The cruise industry thrives in Miami, board members pointed out, because nearby foreign ports enable foreign craft to meet requirements for serving U.S. ports in that area. Without available water transport among our Islands, they added, Hawai'i grows increasingly dependent on airlines.
Developing hydrogen for use in fuel cells, ocean thermal energy conversion, and other alternatives could help ease Hawai'i's need for imported oil, members said. Hawai'i has followed Mainland thinking rather than pursuing its advantage of ocean access, they said. Why not become "a center of excellence" for making fuel cells, members asked, a producer of hydrogen to power vehicles, an exporter of ocean thermal energy to the world? Why doesn't the University of Hawai'i take a lead role in alternate energy activities?
Visiting members also urged The Advertiser to identify issues of importance to the people of Hawai'i and avoid being reactive to "sound bites" from political candidates and their campaign strategists. Preparation for 2002 campaigns should include matters important to voters, not just "what's selling," they said, and should avoid allowing the dominant "noise groups" to set the public agenda at the expense of "the silent majority" that looks to the newspaper for leadership.
Members had varying views on letters to the editor and whether The Advertiser should apply stricter standards in screening them or continue to reflect the community's wide variety of opinion. Last Wednesday, two visiting members said the meetings had made them feel better about The Advertiser editorial section.
Mahalo!
Thanks for the calls, e-mails and letters since this reader representative began this assignment in October 1999, and for kind messages in recent days. Advertiser editors and staffers will write future "After Deadline" columns as reader concerns and newsroom issues warrant.
The 525-8033 phone number remains the one to call to voice comments, request corrections or ask questions about The Advertiser. Senior editor Anne Harpham, a kama'aina journalist with extraordinary knowledge of the community and the newspaper, will handle the calls.
We've had scores of calls and e-mails every week from readers who have helped us fix misspellings, typos, grammar errors, wrong dates, mistakes on maps, errant headlines, repeat puzzles, flawed TV listings and missing first names. Readers have questioned word usage, challenged Page One priorities, taken a detailed interest in captions,and have suggested stories in need of coverage and issues deserving more attention.
Newspapers process an endless flow of information and get most of it right, but precision is an elusive goal. Readers have been allies in helping The Advertiser pursue its mission — especially the parts about being "diligent, truthful, accurate and fair," serving as "a voice for all of the community" and encouraging "tolerance, humility, sharing and respect."
Several readers have reinforced "humility," including some regulars who urge more vigorous pursuit of local news. But the interaction is not just about mistakes and criticism. Callers expressed praise and concern for The Advertiser's staff during the long days and nights of national emergency last fall. Readers of this column also have been encouraging. One frequent caller said she read it "early every Sunday — right after the Longs ad," praise humbly accepted.
We're grateful to readers, past and present, who have kept us moving quickly through history. Thanks to The Advertiser for this opportunity. Newspapers change. Readers and the need to serve them are what matter. Thanks to all who have made this an adventure in understanding and an experience in trying to get it right. Aloha!
Anne Harpham replaces John Simonds, who is retiring as reader representative. Reach Harpham at aharpham@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8023.
